Extents and Restraints of Conjecture in the Historiography of Architecture

Abstract

This paper tries to comprehend the extent and restraints of conjecture in the historiography of architecture. The conjecture is an expression or formation of a certain theory, proposition or statement without support of sufficient proof from the reliable sources. Under the circumstances, the conjecture appears correct but it can not be proven with the help of available sources. This paper has been completed while using references from Tehqīqāt-e Chishtī (1864 A.D.), an exposition written by Moulvi Noor Ahmed Chishti and The Raj, Lahore & Bhai Ram Singh (2006 A.D.) penned by Pervaiz Vandal and Sajida Vandal. Chishti has extensively used conjectures to fulfill the gaps of unrecorded information regarding the sufis, sultans, their lives, teachings, related events, and the hospices constructed in and around Lahore. Pervaiz Vandal and Sajida Vandal have also made use of conjecture as a tool in fulfilling the missing links of the research while restoring and building the lost personality of Bhai Ram Singh (1858-1916) and the contribution he made.1 This paper further discovers the aftermath and repercussions of the conjectures on the society, built environment of historical/religious edifices and the individuals related to them. –––––––––